Michael C. TakeLessons Instructor music, drum set, guitar, bass, theory, basic piano, songwriting, performance techniques Rodman Street, Jamaica Plain, MA

    Michael, born December 3rd, 1984, grew up in a middle-class suburb of Philadelphia called Broomall.  Raised in a music-loving environment, Mike received his first electric guitar at the age of three from his guitarist dad, Dan.  It seemed inevitable, though, for Mike to switch to drums, because at each of his extended family’s infamous seasonal gatherings, he always gravitated towards tambourines and things he could hit.  After starting as a percussionist in grade school at eight years old, his love for music began to grow under the support of his family and teachers.  He received his first drum set at nine, and began to perform in every school Orchestra, Choir, and Concert, Marching and Jazz Band he could get his hands on.  Throughout his schooling, he also studied under the tutelage of such legendary Philadelphia musicians as (John) Hoagy Wing, Harry “Butch” Reed, and Mark Beecher.

    Michael has performed in venues across the United States, Europe and Central America.  In 2007 he received his Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.  While a student there, his primary instrumental instructors were drum legends Bob Moses and Billy Hart, as well as bassist Cecil McBee and Boston-area percussionist Jerry Leake.  Michael also received ensemble training under the tutelage of jazz greats such as Dave Holland, John McNeil, Frank Carlberg, Joe Morris, and Dominique Eade, among others.

    He is currently residing in Boston, teaching and playing on a regular basis.  For over a year, he has been the sole drum instructor for East Boston-based community outreach program, Zumix (www.zumix.org).  He performs frequently in and around the Boston area, and has established himself in a network of musicians that commonly gives him the chance to play in places as far north as Maine and Vermont, and as far south as New York City and Philadelphia.

Selected Performance Experience                       

                        World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
                        Knitting Factory, New York, NY
                        Bitter End, New York, NY
                        Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY
                        Lily Pad, Boston, MA
                        Middle East, Boston, MA
                        Red Fez, Austin, TX
                        The Key Club, Los Angeles, CA
                        Salon, Mexico D.F., Mexico
                        Blue Balls Festival, Luzerne, Switzerland, CH
                        Iowa City Arts Festival, Iowa City, IA
                        Panama City Jazz Festival, Panama City, Panama

Education           

                        New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA
                        Bachelor of Music in Jazz Drum Set Performance
            
                        Principal Teachers
                        Billy Hart, Bob Moses, Cecil McBee, Danilo Perez, Frank Carlberg

    Everyone has their own voice, so be prepared to explore not only the music you want to learn, but yourself.  In the same way, each student is different, so the process of learning is going to be individualized, and appropriate methods of teaching will be applied to each student.  That being said, I believe there to be certain essential elements of music that need to be understood by all, and these elements will be shared with each one of my students, however deeply they are covered. There will be playing, listening, reading, theory, abstract concepts, discussion, vocalization, and possibly dancing involved in the lessons.

    I am a patient, energetic, and thoughtful teacher, and I enjoy the process of learning myself.  Teaching is a two way street, and as long as work is done by the student, work will be done on my part.  In order to get the most out of lessons, I find it best to apply goals to a teaching situation, as to not stagnate development, and an equal amount of effort between student and teacher will help whatever goals you have be achieved at your own pace.

jazz, rock, hip-hop, funk, r&b, Motown, Latin, pop, world

music, drum set, guitar, bass, theory, basic piano, songwriting, performance techniques